Sailing to Sitka, Alaska- How to Spend an Afternoon in Port
Will you be taking an Alaskan cruise this year? Odds are you will make a stop in the city of Sitka. While you can certainly book an excursion through your ship, my family found our own adventures walking through this port.
Getting to Sitka from a Cruise Ship
Nestled on Baranof Island, on the Alaskan coast between Ketchikan and Juneau, Sitka is a very popular cruise port. The port itself is about six miles outside of the main downtown area. Most cruise ships will provide a shuttle (we had one for the NCL Bliss) from the dock to downtown.
The shuttle will bring you to Harrigan Centennial Hall. The Hall is a community building which also houses the Sitka History Museum.
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Sitka Weather
The Alaskan cruise season is generally late April through early October. While Ketchikan holds the honor of rainiest city, Sitka is no slouch in the precipitation department. Rain is expected for 12-15 days a month during the spring/summer/fall seasons. Temperatures can run the gamut from 40 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Even if it isn’t raining on arrival, assume it will begin raining during your stay! I wore blue jeans off of the ship since it was dry and was soon very sad and wet. My youngest and myself actually left the downtown area early since we were not properly prepared for the sudden change in weather. The rest of my family was wearing their waterproof pants and were able to continue on with their day.
I cannot recommend these pants enough for your trip to Alaska!
- Fleece lined waterproof hiking pants for children
- Men’s quick dry waterproof hiking pants
- Women’s fleece lined water-resistant leggings WITH POCKETS!!!
What to Explore in Sitka
If you have chosen not to book an excursion, there is still plenty to be found in Sitka by foot! Below are some places you can easily visit as long as you have your waterproof walking shoes.
Shopping
A small block of local shops and restaurants is about a five minute walk from the shuttle drop off point at Harrigan Centennial Hall. As this was the first stop on our cruise, we had realized we needed a few extra items and found them easily at the local drug store- Harry Race Pharmacy- located on Lincoln Street.
For a complete list of area shopping, see the city’s website here.
Baranof Castle State Historic Site
Quite by accident, we stumbled upon the trail for Baranof Castle. I am a sucker for all things National or State park and had to check it out. A 10 minute walk west of Centennial Hall on Harbor Street, Baranof Castle is more ruins than castle.
The hill holds historical significance as it is the site where Alaska was officially transferred from Russia to the United States in 1867 (despite the fact that the Tlingit Natives actually lived here first).
Pictured above are the stairs to climb to the top of the hill. There is also a fully accessible path on the other side should you prefer or need a flat surface instead.
From the top of Castle Hill, as Baranof Castle is often called, you can see the O’Connell bridge which connects Baranof Island to the airport and coastguard station on Japonski Island.
This ten minute diversion was a great place to learn more about the history of Sitka as well as see some breathtaking views…and perhaps best of all, it was free!
Russian Architecture
One of the popular tours in Sitka is to see the Russian architecture that remains in the city. Included in these historical sites is the (free!) Russian Bishop’s House and St. Michael Cathedral. For more information on these sites see the following web pages:
- https://www.nps.gov/places/saint-michaels-cathedral.htm
- https://www.nps.gov/sitk/learn/historyculture/russian-bishops-house.htm
- https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60966-d318399-Reviews-Russian_Bishop_s_House-Sitka_Alaska.html
Sitka National Historical Park
Heading the opposite direction from Baranof Castle (a 15 minute walk east of the shuttle drop off point) is the Sitka National Historical Park. Another free attraction and part of the National Parks system, this park boasts amazing Totem poles. (The aforementioned Russian Bishop’s House is also a part of the Park system, but is located back closer to downtown.)
The visitor center is located at 106 Metlakatla Street in Sitka. It contains Tlingit artifacts and exhibits. The visitor center is also where your child can participate in the free Jr. Ranger program.
In order to see the Totem Trail you will pass through a beautiful trail full of Hemlock and Alaskan spruce trees.
As long as you have walking shoes and weather appropriate clothing, this is another FREE activity for the whole family to enjoy in Sitka.
St. Peter’s By the Sea
On your walk to the National Park, you will likely bypass this little church.
I happened to take some photos of it during our walk and later came home to see if there was any significance to it. Low and behold, St. Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church is in the National Archives!
This little church has been in the city of Sitka since 1899. The National Archives website has the entire history of the church available, including the contents of the time capsule that went into the cornerstone of the building.
Other attractions in Sitka
The other two big attractions in Sitka are-
Admission to the Raptor Center is $16 for adults and $8 for children ages 5-12 years. Hours vary depending on the time of year. The Raptor Center is about one mile from Harrigan Centennial Hall. It houses several types of birds, including raptors, and helps rehabilitate the animals.
Further away from the shuttle at 5.5 miles east, the Fortress of the Bear is a rescue center for orphaned bears. Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 8-18 years (8 years and younger are free!) and allows you to view the bears from covered platforms.
What did we think of Sitka?
As I mentioned, Sitka was our first port on our cruise. We thought the views were beautiful and enjoyed hiking through the various State and National Parks. If we stopped here again one day I think I would try to find an excursion through the ship, but for mobile first-timers you can probably save some money and explore on your own.
Learn more about the NCL Bliss
Cruising with kids on the NCL Bliss
Complimentary Dining on the NCL Bliss
Specialty Dining on the NCL Bliss
A deck-by-deck tour of the NCL Bliss
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